Flurry of blocks by Auburn helps send LSU to first loss
AUBURN, Ala. — Walker Kessler had 16 points, nine rebounds and a career-high 11 blocked shots to lead No. 11 Auburn to a 70-55 victory over previously unbeaten No. 16 Louisiana State on Wednesday in the teams’ Southeastern Conference opener.
Freshman Jabari Smith also scored 16 points for Auburn (12-1, 1-0), which didn’t give up a field goal in the opening 10 minutes of its ninth straight win. LSU (12-1, 0-1), which entered as one of major college basketball’s five unbeatens, scored one point in the first 10:45 but still pulled within six a couple of times in the second half.
■ No. 3 Purdue 104, Nicholls State
90: At West Lafayette, Ind., Zach Edey scored 21 points for the Boilermakers (121), who shot 57.4 percent. Ty Gordon had 29 points for the Colonels (8-6), who hit 16 of 35 3-point tries.
■ No. 10 Michigan State 81, High Point 68: At East Lansing, Mich., Gabe Brown scored 24 points for the Spartans (11-2), who were without four players — including two starters. The Panthers (6-7), who led 35-34 at halftime, were outrebounded 38-25.
■ No. 19 Alabama 73, No. 14 Tennessee 68: At Tuscaloosa, Ala., Jahvon Quinerly scored 18 points for the Crimson Tide (10-3, 1-0 SEC), who went ahead to stay on Keon Ellis’ 3-pointer with 40 seconds left. The Volunteers (9-3, 0-1) had a 10-point first-half lead.
■ No. 21 Providence 70, No. 15 Seton Hall 65: At Providence, R.I., Noah Horchler had 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Friars (12-1, 2-0 Big East), who didn’t trail in the second half. The Pirates (9-2, 0-1) had eight players in uniform.
■ No. 18 Kentucky 83, Missouri 56:
At Lexington, Ky., Oscar Tshiebwe had 13 points and 20 rebounds for the Wildcats (10-2, 1-0 SEC), who shot 38 percent in the second half. The Tigers (6-7, 0-1) didn’t lead after intermission.
■ No. 24 Wisconsin 89, Illinois State 85: At Madison, Wis., Steven Crowl scored 21 points and Johnny Davis 20 for the Badgers (10-2), who led by 19 early in the second half. Antonio Reeves had 23 points and Sy Chatman 22 for the Redbirds (8-6). MOUNTAIN WEST
■ No. 6 Kansas 88, UNR 61: At Lawrence, Kansas, Christian Braun scored 22 points for the Jayhawks (10-1), who led 39-17 at halftime. The Wolf Pack (6-5) at one juncture had nearly as many turnovers (14) as shots (18) and finished with 21 turnovers.
■ Air Force 49, Utah State 47: At Colorado Springs, Colo., A.J. Walker scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half for the Falcons (8-4, 1-0), who didn’t trail over the final 17:16. The Aggies (9-5, 0-1) shot 32.7 percent while missing 18 of 19 3-point tries.
TOP 10 WOMEN
■ No. 10 Baylor 86, North Texas 65: At Waco, Texas, Nalyssa Smith had 28 points and 11 rebounds in her 11th straight double-double for the Lady Bears (102). The Mean Green (6-4) had a 20-18 second-quarter scoring edge but trailed 44-33 at halftime.